Driscoll and Gardiner Continue AORC Onslaught

Yamaha Racing enjoyed more success at rounds three and four of the Australian Off Road Championship (AORC) with Michael Driscoll and Jess Gardiner dominating the EJ (Under 19) and Women’s divisions respectively, held at Hedley, over the weekend.

On a tough layout and in dry and dusty conditions, bLU cRU Racing’s Michael Driscoll powered his WR250F to two commanding round wins over the weekend and cement his spot at the top of the EJ points tree, after four rounds.

Driscoll, the reigning EJ champion, showed not just the speed to dominate his class but also posted times well inside the top 10 as he smashed his way around the Hedley course. Saturday saw Driscoll take the class win in all three sprints ran on the day and notch a very respectable eighth outright and then improved to seventh outright on Sunday across the five sprints held while still maintaining his unbeaten U19 streak.

“The weekend went well for me and I really enjoyed the course at Hedley,” Driscoll states. “It was tough as it was quite rough and choppy but the dirt was good and the sprint format works well for me. I really like that style of racing.

“My bike was amazing all weekend and the support of the Yamaha Active8 Yamalube team at these events is awesome. There is a bit of time before the next round but there are plenty of things to work on as I would like to get inside the top five outright at some rounds before the year is out,” he finishes.

Jess Gardiner matched the results of Driscoll, taking both round wins in the Women’s division in a strong display that saw her climb to the top of the points chase. Her weekend didn’t start out perfectly with some crashes in the opening sprints but she gathered herself well and fought back to take the win for the day.

But Sunday was all Gardiner and she won all five sprints and turned in her best performance of the year. The double victory has now drawn her level with long-time rival, Jemma Wilson after four rounds.

“I’m so happy to get the win on both days and bounce back after a not so good weekend at the opening rounds,” Gardiner said. “The sand here was really fun to ride and it was rough as well but I was confident I would do well.

“I have been working hard since the first two rounds and it was really rewarding to see it pay off here in tough conditions,” Gardener ends.

Jemma Wilson continues to throw out the challenge to Gardiner and finished with a second place on Saturday and a third on Sunday. She now sits on 92 points in the championship it the series is headed for a long battle between the two friendly rivals – both mounted on Yamaha.

There is a small break in the AORC calendar but rounds five and six of the championship pick up at Dungog in NSW on July 28-29.